A Tour of France

 A Tour of France
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Background and History
French Culture, Wine Laws and Global Influence
Classic Regions
• Champagne
• Alsace
• Loire
• Burgundy
• Rhône
• Bordeaux
Background and History
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600 BC: Greek immigrants arrive in Provence with wine and vines
300 AD: Wine is grown in Burgundy and Bordeaux; Champagne and Loire
soon follow
1100: Cistercian monks begin tending vineyards
1920s: Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée and defining the notion of terroir
All class outlines are copyright of Corkbuzz Wine Studio. Materials may be used for personal and non-commercial use only.
Please do not reproduce or redistribute for any commercial purposes without express written consent.
French Culture and Style
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Terroir: a sense of place
Love for food and pride in place:
ACs for wine, cheese, chicken, lavender,
honey, lentils, mustard, peppers, butter…
Wine and food go together (and grow together)
AOC system influences the world à AOP
French Quality System
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Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée
à Appellation d’Origine Protégée
• Area
• Varietal
• Yield
• Ripeness
• Vineyard management
• Winemaking techniques
Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure
Vin de Pays
à Indication Geographique Protegée
Vin de Table
Champagne
• Northern France
• Cool climate
• Chalky soil
• Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Five sub-regions
• Traditional Method
• RM v. NM
• Recent vintages…
Tasting component
All class outlines are copyright of Corkbuzz Wine Studio. Materials may be used for personal and non-commercial use only.
Please do not reproduce or redistribute for any commercial purposes without express written consent.
Alsace
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Northern France
Vosges Mountains
Warm climate
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Sylvaner
Alsace AOP, Alsace Grand Cru AOP, Vendanges Tardives, Sélections des
Grains Nobles
Tasting component
Loire
• Northern/central France
• Loire River
• Jardin de la France
• Pays Nantais: Muscadet
• Anjou-Saumur: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc
• Touraine: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc
• Central Vineyards: Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting component
Burgundy
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Northern/central France
Chardonnay; Pinot Noir
Limestone soil
• Grand Cru, 1er Cru,
villages, lieux dits
• Chablis
• Côte d’Or (Côte de Nuits,
Côte de Beaune)
• Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, etc.
• Meursault,
Puligny-Montrachet, etc.
• Côte Chalonnaise & Mâconnais
• Beaujolais: Gamay
• Recent vintages…
Tasting component
All class outlines are copyright of Corkbuzz Wine Studio. Materials may be used for personal and non-commercial use only.
Please do not reproduce or redistribute for any commercial purposes without express written consent.
Rhône
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Southern/central France
Rhône River
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre; Marsanne, Rousanne, Viognier
Northern Rhône:
Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas
• Southern Rhône: Gigondas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône
• Recent vintages…
Tasting component
Bordeaux
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Western/Central France
Maritime climate
Left bank: Médoc and Graves… gravel soil = Cabernet dominated
• St. Estèphe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Listrac, Moulis, Margaux
• 1855 Classification
• Right bank: Pomerol and St. Émilion… clay soil = Merlot dominated
• Bordeaux Blanc
• Dessert wines: Sauternes
• Recent vintages…
Tasting component
All class outlines are copyright of Corkbuzz Wine Studio. Materials may be used for personal and non-commercial use only.
Please do not reproduce or redistribute for any commercial purposes without express written consent.